Shukri Conrad ‘changed everything’ for Proteas, says Makhaya Ntini
Shukri Conrad’s leadership has transformed South African cricket, leading the Proteas to a World Test Championship victory over Australia and earning him high praise from Makhaya Ntini. Seen here: Ntini (left) with Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. Picture: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix
Image: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix
The unmitigated success of the Proteas since Shukri Conrad took over has been nothing short of incredible, according to legendary South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini.
It was no joke when Rob Walter resigned as the Proteas limited overs coach on April 1, and it meant a month later Conrad was given the role across all three formats.
Conrad was first appointed as Test coach in February 2023, and at the time Cricket SA (CSA) had envisioned that two different coaches would handle the limited overs and red ball formats.
It came as quite a shock then when Walter resigned in the middle of his contract but given the success Conrad had with the Test team it made sense to give him the extra responsibility.
Shukri’s Leadership Transforms South African Cricket
With the Proteas having gone on a bulldozing run in the World Test Championship (WTC) over the last two years, which culminated in victory over Australia in the final at Lord’s in June, Conrad is approaching the levels of reverence of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.
“You know, since Shukri took over, things started to shape in the right direction. And then everybody buys into it. Understand Shukri knows these guys from Under-19, all the way now to the senior provinces,” the 48-year-old Ntini told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interview.
“He grew up with them and then he raised them. So when he took over as a senior coach, that's when everything started to gel for South Africa. And then this year, man, it's unbelievable. Especially when it comes to the red ball."
“It doesn't matter how they got to the final, but the most important part is that they won the Mace.”